Explore Monastic Life

Teachings from the annual Exploring Monastic Life program at Sravasti Abbey.

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A wall with the words: Sanctuary of Contentment
Exploring Monastic Life 2008

Contentment

Dissatisfaction is painful so we train our mind to be happy with what we have,…

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A sign with the word : the mindfulness bell written.
Exploring Monastic Life 2008

Mindfulness and checking awareness

Going through the day feeling confident we have good ethical conduct and bearing no guilt…

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Buddhist monks carrying a bowl to get offerings.
Exploring Monastic Life 2008

Livelihood for monastics

Avoiding activities that are naturally negative and activities that will take you away from your…

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Buddha with five monks kneeling in front of him.
Exploring Monastic Life 2008

The life of the Buddha

The life of the Buddha in terms of the direction we can go in mind…

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A happy bhikshuni from Bhutan
Exploring Monastic Life 2008

“The Fruits of the Homeless Life”

Monastic context of socializing with family and friends, receiving gifts and donations, appropriate bodily conduct…

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EML group in sitting position and chanting.
Exploring Monastic Life 2008

Taking and holding the precepts

Vows aren't designed to make us miserable, but to make our minds peaceful and happy…

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Two novices studying, one novice writing on the paper of the other novice.
Exploring Monastic Life 2008

The benefits of precepts

What is important in our lives? Happiness is getting our lives together to pacify our…

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The 2008 Exploring Monastic Life participants pose in front of the beautiful Medicine Buddha thangka in the Abbey living room.
Exploring Monastic Life 2008

Introducing Exploring Monastic Life 2008

Opening the 2008 Exploring Monastic Life program with an introduction and advice on how to…

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Group of participants from the 2007 Exploring Monastic Life retreat at the Abbey.
Exploring Monastic Life 2007

Refuge and precepts ceremony

Teachings on taking the five lay precepts with or without celibacy and the eight precepts…

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Mass ordination of novices.
Exploring Monastic Life 2007

The monastic preceptor

Enter monastic life with a sincere motivation. Cultivate it again and again so it increases…

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A group photo of novices.
Exploring Monastic Life 2007

The hindrances to ordaining

Ordination provides a direction for spiritual yearning, something very pure inside of us.

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Young novice studying.
Exploring Monastic Life 2007

Reasons for monastic precepts

The more we keep the precepts, the better we get along with other people, because…

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